WO2001045192A1 - Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite - Google Patents

Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001045192A1
WO2001045192A1 PCT/US2000/033895 US0033895W WO0145192A1 WO 2001045192 A1 WO2001045192 A1 WO 2001045192A1 US 0033895 W US0033895 W US 0033895W WO 0145192 A1 WO0145192 A1 WO 0145192A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
oxygen
hydrogen
electrochemical cell
electrode
flow field
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/033895
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jason K. Shiepe
Trent M. Molter
Original Assignee
Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Proton Energy Systems, Inc. filed Critical Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
Priority to AU29078/01A priority Critical patent/AU2907801A/en
Priority to CA002394499A priority patent/CA2394499A1/fr
Priority to EP00993463A priority patent/EP1245056A1/fr
Priority to JP2001545388A priority patent/JP2003517096A/ja
Publication of WO2001045192A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001045192A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1007—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
    • H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
    • H01M8/186—Regeneration by electrochemical means by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrochemical cell system, and especially relates to the use of an electrochemical cell system capable of operating in a low gravity environment.
  • Electrochemical cells are energy conversion devices, usually classified as either electrolysis cells or fuel cells.
  • An electrolysis cell functions as a hydrogen generator by electrolytically decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases, and functions as a fuel cell by electrochemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity.
  • a partial section of a typical proton exchange membrane fuel cell 10 is detailed.
  • hydrogen gas 12 and reactant water 14 are introduced to a hydrogen electrode (anode) 16, while oxygen gas 18 is introduced to an oxygen electrode (cathode) 20.
  • the hydrogen gas 12 for fuel cell operation can originate from a pure hydrogen source, methanol or other hydrogen source.
  • Hydrogen gas electrochemically reacts at anode 16 to produce hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons, wherein the electrons flow of from anode 16 through an electrically connected external load 21, and the protons migrate through a membrane 22 to cathode 20.
  • the protons and electrons react with the oxygen gas to form resultant water 14', which additionally includes any reactant water 14 dragged through membrane 22 to cathode 20.
  • resultant water 14' which additionally includes any reactant water 14 dragged through membrane 22 to cathode 20.
  • the electrical potential across anode 16 and cathode 20 can be exploited to power an external load.
  • process water is fed on the hydrogen electrode, and a portion of the water migrates from the cathode across the membrane to the anode where protons and oxygen gas are formed. A portion of the process water exits the cell at the cathode side without passing through the membrane. The protons migrate across the membrane to the cathode where hydrogen gas is formed.
  • the typical electrochemical cell includes a one or more individual cells arranged in a stack, with the working fluid directed through the cells via input and output conduits formed within the stack structure.
  • the cells within the stack are sequentially arranged, each including a cathode, a proton exchange membrane, and an anode.
  • the anode, cathode, or both are gas diffusion electrodes that facilitate gas diffusion to the membrane.
  • Each cathode/membrane/anode assembly (hereinafter “membrane electrode assembly", or "MEA”) is typically supported on both sides by flow fields comprising screen packs or bipolar plates. Such flow fields facilitate fluid movement and membrane hydration and provide mechanical support for the MEA. Since a differential pressure often exists in the cells, compression pads or other compression means are often employed to maintain uniform compression in the cell active area, i.e., the electrodes, thereby maintaining intimate contact between flow fields and cell electrodes over long time periods.
  • the electrochemical cells can be employed to both convert electricity into hydrogen, and hydrogen back into electricity as needed.
  • Such systems are commonly referred to as regenerative fuel cell systems.
  • Electrochemical cell systems are generally operated within a gravitational field. Gravity aids in pulling water away from the electrode surface when the electrochemical cell is used in fuel cell mode, whereas in the electrolysis mode, gas and water exit the cell stack together thereby necessitating gravity-induced phase separation.
  • an electrochemical cell comprising a hydrogen electrode; an oxygen electrode; a membrane disposed between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode; and a compartmentalized storage tank having a first fluid storage section and a second fluid storage section separated by a movable divider, wherein the compartmentalized storage tank is in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell.
  • the present invention further relates to an electrochemical cell including a hydrogen electrode; an oxygen electrode; an electrolyte membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode; an oxygen flow field disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the oxygen electrode; a hydrogen flow field disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the hydrogen electrode; a water flow field disposed in fluid communication with the oxygen flow field; and a media divider disposed between the oxygen flow field and the water flow field.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art electrochemical cell showing an electrochemical reaction
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a low gravity electrochemical cell system
  • Figure 3 is an expanded cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a low gravity electrochemical cell.
  • the present invention relates to an electrochemical cell and an electrochemical cell system.
  • the system has one or more electrochemical cells and a compartmentalized storage tank that enable the system to be used in a low or zero gravity environment.
  • low gravity means a gravity less than that of the surface gravity of the earth, i.e., less than about 9.78 m/s 2 (meters per squared), and preferably from about zero to about 9.5 m/s 2 , more preferably from about 0.1 to about 9.0 m/s 2 .
  • the system may also be used at normal gravity.
  • an electrochemical cell 30 comprises a hydrogen flow field 32, an oxygen flow field 34, an MEA 36 disposed therebetween, a water flow field 38, and an electrically conductive porous media divider 40.
  • a compartmentalized storage tank 42 encloses an oxygen storage section 44 and a water storage section 46, which are separated by a movable divider 48.
  • the oxygen storage section 44 is connected to the oxygen flow field 34 via line 50
  • the water storage section 46 is connected to the water flow field 38 via line 52
  • a hydrogen storage tank 54 is connected to the hydrogen flow field 32 via line 56.
  • Storage tank 54 and compartmentalized storage tank 42 can be made out of any conventional material that can withstand the required pressures and the exposure to reactants, and preferably comprise a sufficient capacity to hold the desired amount of fluids for the given application.
  • Lines 50, 52, and 56 can also be any material that can withstand the required pressures and the exposure to reactants.
  • the movable divider 48 which separates the oxygen storage section 44, i.e., one fluid section, from the water storage section 46, i.e., another fluid section, comprises any material that is compatible with the stored gas and in any shape that allows the volume of the oxygen storage section 44 to change inversely with the volume of the water storage section 46, while effectively preventing the mixing of the two stored fluids.
  • Possible compartmentalized storage tanks 42 include bladder tanks, bellows tanks, piston tanks, and diaphragm tanks, among others, with a stainless steel vessel having an elastomeric bladder typically preferred for low or zero gravity applications.
  • stored water is converted to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
  • the hydrogen produced hereby can be stored as high pressure gas, or alternatively, in a solid form, such as a metal hydride, a carbon based storage (e.g. particulates, nanofibers, nanotubes, or the like), or others, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing storage mediums.
  • oxygen gas As oxygen gas is produced, it passes through line 50 to oxygen storage section 44, increasing the pressure of the oxygen therein and placing pressure on the movable divider 48.
  • the pressure on the movable divider 48 increases the pressure of the water storage section 46, and forces the water through line 52 to the water flow field 38 of electrochemical cell 30.
  • the oxygen pressure is greater than the water pressure, with the difference between the oxygen pressure and the water pressure being below the bubble pressure of the porous media divider 40.
  • the operation of the movable divider 48 reverses as stored oxygen converts into water and the pressure in the oxygen storage section 44 decreases. In this mode the water generated by the reaction flows back to the water storage section 46.
  • Figure 2 shows oxygen as the stored gas on the gas side of the movable divider 48
  • hydrogen may also be used, and/or oxygen and hydrogen may also be used simultaneously if two tanks, each with a movable divider, are employed.
  • the gas storage section of a single compartmentalized storage tank may be further subdivided into two separate storage sections for oxygen and hydrogen in order to gain the cumulative effect of the pressure of both gases on the movable divider.
  • the MEA 36 comprises an oxygen electrode 58, a hydrogen electrode 60, and a proton exchange membrane (electrolyte) 62 disposed therebetween.
  • the membrane 62 can be of any material typically employed for forming the membrane in electrochemical cells.
  • the electrolytes are preferably solids or gels under the operating conditions of the electrochemical cell.
  • the thickness of the membrane 62 is up to about 0.05 inches (1.27 millimeters, "mm"), with about 0.001 (0.0254 mm) to about 0.015 inches (0.381 mm) preferred.
  • Useful materials include proton conducting ionomers and ion exchange resins.
  • Proton conducting ionomers comprise complexes of an alkali metal, alkali earth metal salt, or a protonic acid with one or more polar polymers such as a polyether, polyester, or polyimide, or complexes of an alkali metal, alkali earth metal salt, or a protonic acid with a network or crosslinked polymer containing the above polar polymer as a segment.
  • polar polymers such as a polyether, polyester, or polyimide
  • Useful polyethers include polyoxyalkylenes, such as polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol monoether, polyethylene glycol diether, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol monoether, and polypropylene glycol diether, and the like; copolymers of at least one of these polyethers, such as poly(oxyethylene-co-oxypropylene) glycol, poly(oxyethylene-co-oxypropylene) glycol monoether, and poly(oxyethylene-co- oxypropylene) glycol diether, and the like; condensation products of ethylenediamine with the above polyoxyalkylenes; esters, such as phosphoric acid esters, aliphatic carboxylic acid esters or aromatic carboxylic acid esters of the above polyoxyalkylenes.
  • polyoxyalkylenes such as polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol monoether, polyethylene glycol diether, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol monoether, and polypropylene glycol diether, and the like
  • Copolymers of, e.g., polyethylene glycol with dialkylsiloxanes, polyethylene glycol with maleic anhydride, or polyethylene glycol monoethyl ether with methacrylic acid are known in the art to exhibit sufficient ionic conductivity to be useful.
  • Useful complex-forming reagents can include alkali metal salts, alkali metal earth salts, and protonic acids and protonic acid salts.
  • Counterions useful in the above salts can be halogen ion, perchloric ion, thiocyanate ion, trifluoromethane sulfonic ion, boro fluoric ion, and the like.
  • Such salts include, but are not limited to, lithium fluoride, sodium iodide, lithium iodide, lithium perchlorate, sodium thiocyanate, lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate, lithium borofluoride, lithium hexafluorophosphate, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, trifluoromethane sulfonic acid, tetrafluoroethylene sulfonic acid, hexafluorobutane sulfonic acid, and the like.
  • Ion-exchange resins useful as proton conducting materials include hydrocarbon- and fluorocarbon-type resins.
  • Hydrocarbon-type ion-exchange resins can include phenolic or sulfonic acid-type resins; condensation resins such as phenol- formaldehyde, polystyrene, styrene-divinyl benzene copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-divinylbenzene-vinylchloride terpolymers, and the like, that are imbued with cation-exchange ability by sulfonation, or are imbued with anion- exchange ability by chloromethylation followed by conversion to the corresponding quaternary amine.
  • Fluorocarbon-type ion-exchange resins can include hydrates of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorosulfonyl ethoxyvinyl ether or tetrafluoroethylene- hydroxylated (perfluoro vinyl ether) copolymers.
  • fluorocarbon-type resins having sulfonic, carboxylic and/or phosphoric acid functionality are preferred.
  • Fluorocarbon-type resins typically exhibit excellent resistance to oxidation by halogen, strong acids, and bases.
  • One family of fluorocarbon-type resins having sulfonic acid group functionality is the NAFION ® resins (DuPont Chemicals, Wilmington, Del).
  • the electrodes 58, 60 can be conventional electrodes composed of materials such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, carbon, gold, tantalum, tin, indium, nickel, tungsten, manganese, and the like, as well as mixtures, oxides, alloys, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.
  • Additional possible catalysts which can be used alone or in combination with the above, include graphite and organometallics, such as pthalocyanines and porphyrins, and combinations thereof, and the like.
  • This catalyst can comprise discrete catalyst particles, hydrated ionomer solids, fluorocarbon, other binder materials, other materials conventionally utilized with electrochemical cell catalysts, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.
  • Useful ionomer solids can be any swollen (i.e. partially disassociated polymeric material) proton and water conducting material. Possible ionomer solids include those having a hydrocarbon backbone, and perfluoroionomers, such as perfluorosulfonate ionomers (which have a fluorocarbon backbone).
  • the electrodes electrically connect to an electrical load and/or power source.
  • the electrical connection can comprise any conventional electrical connector such as wires, a truss/bus rod, bus bars, combinations thereof, or another electrical connector.
  • the oxygen flow field 34 and the hydrogen flow field 32 are located on either side of the MEA 36, and typically comprise material that is porous and also electrically conductive.
  • the porous, electrically conductive material is capable of providing structural integrity for supporting the membrane assembly, allowing passage of system fluids to and from the appropriate electrodes 58 or 60, and conducting electrical current to and from the appropriate electrodes 58 or 60.
  • the oxygen flow field 34 preferably comprises a porous material 64 that is disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the MEA 36.
  • This porous material 64 enables dual-directional flow of gas and water, promoting water flow to and from the membrane by acting as a wick to remove liquid water from the MEA 36, and serves as an electrode support.
  • screen(s) are disposed adjacent to the porous material 64, and a flow field member (e.g., one or more screen layers, bipolar plates, or other type of support structures) are disposed between the porous material 64 and the electrode 58.
  • the water flow field 38 which is disposed adjacent to and in electrical contact with the electrically conductive porous media divider 40, can comprise a similar or different porous conductive material as the other flow fields 32, 34.
  • the material used in the water flow field 38 should allow the flow of water to and from the porous media divider 40.
  • the flow fields 32, 34, 38 may each comprise support structures such as screen packs, bipolar plates with grooves or other flow features formed therein, other type of support structure, or combinations of at least one of the foregoing support structures.
  • Suitable screen packs comprise electrically conductive material, such as woven metal, expanded metal, perforated or porous plates, fabrics (woven and non-woven), ceramic (e.g., particulate filled ceramic), polymers or other material, or a combination thereof, which provide structural integrity to the membrane assembly while forming an appropriate flow field for the various fluids and establishing an electron transport to and from the electrodes.
  • the screen packs are composed of material such as niobium, zirconium, tantalum, titanium, steels such as stainless steel, nickel, and cobalt, among others, as well as mixtures, oxides, and alloys comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.
  • the geometry of the openings in the screens can range from ovals, circles, and hexagons to diamonds and other elongated and multi-sided shapes.
  • the particular porous conductive material employed is dependent upon the particular operating conditions on that side of the membrane assembly. Examples of suitable screen packs are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Application Serial No. 09/464,143, Attorney Docket No. 98-1796, and U.S. Patent Serial No. 09/102,305, Attorney Docket No.
  • the size and geometry of the flow fields 32, 34, 38 should be sufficient to enable the desired fluid control.
  • the thickness is up to about 10 inches (254 mm), with about 0.001 (0.0254 mm) to about 0.1 (2.54 mm) inches preferred.
  • the porous media divider 40 is typically disposed between and in electrical contact with the oxygen flow field 34 and the water flow field 38.
  • the porous media divider 40 can be any material that provides a barrier to oxygen passage and enables the flow of water between the oxygen flow field 34 and the water flow field 38, while also allowing electron flow to and from the electrodes 58, 60, as described further herein.
  • the media divider 40 can be disposed in electrical contact with the hydrogen flow field 32.
  • water is either produced on the hydrogen electrode and moved through the media divider 40 to the compartmentalized tank 42, or from the compartmentalized tank 42 to the hydrogen electrode 60, through the membrane 62, to the oxygen electrode 58 where it reacts to form oxygen and hydrogen ions.
  • the porous media divider 40 can comprise any electrically conductive material compatible with the electrochemical cell environment (for example, the desired pressure differential, preferably up to or exceeding about 4,000 psi, temperatures up to about 250°C, and exposure to hydrogen, oxygen, and water).
  • Some possible materials include carbon, nickel and nickel alloys (e.g., Hastelloy ® , which is commercially available from Haynes International, Kokomo, Indiana, and Inconel ® , which is commercially available from INCO Alloys International Inc., Huntington, West Virginia, among others), cobalt and cobalt alloys (e.g., MP35N ® , which is commercially available from Maryland Specialty Wire, Inc., Rye, NY, Haynes 25, which is commercially available from Haynes International, and Elgiloy ® , which is commercially available from Elgiloy ® Limited Partnership, Elgin, Illinois, among others), titanium, zirconium, niobium, tungsten, carbon, hafnium,
  • the particular form of the porous media divider 40 includes forms such as fibrous (random, woven, non-woven, chopped, continuous, and the like), granular, particulate powder, preform, and the combinations comprising at least one or more of the foregoing forms.
  • the size and geometry of the media divider 40 should be sufficient to enable the desired movement of water while inhibiting the flow of oxygen therethrough (or other appropriate fluid control).
  • the thickness is up to about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), with about 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) to about 0.3 inches (7.62 mm) preferred, about 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) to about 0.05 (1.27) inches more preferred, and about 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) to about 0.03 inches
  • the bubble pressure should be greater than about 0.01 pounds per square inch (psi), with about 7.0 to about 8.0 psi preferred.
  • the stored gas in the compartmentalized storage tank is preferably at a pressure greater than that of the stored water (e.g., up to about 1 psi greater, with about 0.3 psi to about 0.5 psi greater typically sufficient, with a pressure differential up to the bubble pressure of media divider 40 possible).
  • This pressure differential causes the movable divider 48 to be initially biased toward the water storage section 46 of the compartmentalized storage tank 42, forcing water toward the water flow field 38.
  • a mechanical, hydraulic or similar force bias can be employed in the storage tank 42 to push the bellows open, with the bias preferably set at a pressure below the bubble pressure of media divider 40.
  • the electrochemical cell 30 In order to utilize the electrochemical cell 30, it is preferably initially charged by an external power source (not shown). During charging, the cell 30 is operating as an electro lyzer, and water (or other liquid reactant such as hydrogen, bromine) is separated, e.g. into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • the hydrogen and oxygen are stored in their respective areas within the system (e.g., hydrogen in storage tank 54 and oxygen in oxygen storage section 44), and, after reaching operating pressure, the system can be used as a fuel cell to produce electricity. That is, the external power source can be disconnected and an electrical load can be attached (e.g., as in load 21 depicted in Figure 1) to the charged system.
  • the cell 30 can then operate as a fuel cell, recombining the hydrogen and oxygen into water, while producing an electrical current. When no more current is produced, the system is regenerated by again charging with an external power source such as a photovoltaic cell or other power source.
  • the stored oxygen from the oxygen storage section 44 and hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank 54 move to the respective active areas of the electrochemical cell 30.
  • the hydrogen gas flows through the hydrogen flow field 32 and dissociates into hydrogen ions and free electrons at the hydrogen electrode 60.
  • the hydrogen ions move across the proton exchange membrane 62 to the oxygen flow field 34 while the electrons travel through an external load to the oxygen electrode 58.
  • the hydrogen ions combine with oxygen and electrons to form water.
  • the newly formed water moves through the oxygen flow field 34 and is wicked away by the porous media divider 40 to the water flow field 38. From the water flow field 38, the water is piped into the water storage section 46 of the compartmentalized storage tank 42, and the movable divider 48 shifts toward the gas storage side 44 to accommodate the increased water volume.
  • an external power supply can be attached to the system.
  • the cell 30 is then operated in reverse, as an electrolyzer, and the stored water, which is biased to a pressure below that of the oxygen gas, is fed into the water flow field 38.
  • the porous media divider 40 wicks the water from the water flow field to the oxygen flow field 34.
  • the water, in the form of water vapor moves through the oxygen flow field 34 to the oxygen electrode 58 where it forms oxygen gas, hydrogen ions, and electrons.
  • the hydrogen ions pass through the membrane 62 and the electrons move through the external load, to the hydrogen electrode 60, where they combine to form hydrogen.
  • EXAMPLE An electrochemical cell having the configuration of cell 30 in Figure 3 was constructed and tested.
  • the cell had an active area of 0.05 squared feet (46.4 squared centimeters), and was fluidly coupled with a 316 stainless steel water tank having a volumetric capacity of 50 cubed centimeters (cc), a 316 stainless steel hydrogen tank having a volumetric capacity of 500 cc, and a 316 stainless steel oxygen tank having a volumetric capacity of 500 cc.
  • a single cell was constructed using NAFION® membrane, titanium alloy screen packs for the hydrogen flow field, oxygen flow field, and water flow field, and a titanium alloy porous plate for the media divider.
  • the electrochemical cell 30 can be operated in low gravity or even zero gravity environments, such as extraterrestrial environments, without the need for an external electrical supply that would be required in a conventional system to power pumps, fans, and other supporting equipment.
  • Cell 30 is effective with or without the compartmentalized storage tank.
  • the electrochemical cell system may be charged in electro lyzer mode by photovoltaic cells attached to the outside of an orbiting space station, for example, and used as a fuel cell to provide electricity thereafter. Since the system is regenerative and does not require the use of pumps, it can serve as a standalone system for electrical needs. Additionally, the electrochemical cell system has increased reliability relative to conventional systems because it has fewer moving components.
  • the present invention can operate in both low gravity and zero gravity environments, as the need arises. Finally, since the present invention uses fewer parts and integrates others, it is more compact than conventional electrochemical cell systems.

Abstract

Un système de cellule électrochimique comprend une électrode à hydrogène ; une électrode à oxygène ; une membrane prévue entre l'électrode à hydrogène et l'électrode à oxygène ; et un réservoir de stockage à compartiments (42). Ledit réservoir de stockage à compartiments comprend des première et deuxième parties de stockage de fluide séparées par un diviseur mobile. Le réservoir de stockage à compartiments est en communication fluidique avec la cellule électrochimique. Par ailleurs, une membrane électrolytique prévue entre l'électrode à hydrogène et l'électrode à oxygène, en contact intime avec celles-ci ; un champ de flux d'oxygène prévu en position adjacente à l'électrode à oxygène et en contact intime avec celle-ci ; un champ de flux d'hydrogène prévu en position adjacente à l'électrode à hydrogène et en contact intime avec celle-ci ; un champ de flux d'eau en communication fluidique avec le champ de flux d'oxygène ; et un diviseur de milieu prévu entre le champ de flux d'oxygène et le champ de flux d'eau.
PCT/US2000/033895 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite WO2001045192A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU29078/01A AU2907801A (en) 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 Low gravity electrochemical cell
CA002394499A CA2394499A1 (fr) 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite
EP00993463A EP1245056A1 (fr) 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite
JP2001545388A JP2003517096A (ja) 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 電気化学セル

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17112299P 1999-12-16 1999-12-16
US60/171,122 1999-12-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001045192A1 true WO2001045192A1 (fr) 2001-06-21

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PCT/US2000/033895 WO2001045192A1 (fr) 1999-12-16 2000-12-14 Cellule electrochimique a faible gravite

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US (2) US6471850B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1245056A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003517096A (fr)
AU (1) AU2907801A (fr)
CA (1) CA2394499A1 (fr)
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WO2002027070A3 (fr) * 2000-09-27 2002-08-22 Proton Energy Sys Inc Procede d'electrolyse d'eau par membrane supportee de polytetrafluoroethylene dans des cellules d'electrolyse
US6613215B2 (en) 2000-09-27 2003-09-02 Proton Energy Systems, Inc. Method for electrolysis of water using a polytetrafluoroethylene supported membrane in electrolysis cells
WO2002027070A2 (fr) * 2000-09-27 2002-04-04 Proton Energy Systems, Inc. Procede d'electrolyse d'eau par membrane supportee de polytetrafluoroethylene dans des cellules d'electrolyse
US7846983B2 (en) 2002-03-05 2010-12-07 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Proton conducting electrolyte membrane for use in high temperatures and the use thereof in fuel cells
US7846982B2 (en) 2002-03-06 2010-12-07 Pemeas Gmbh Proton conducting electrolyte membrane having reduced methanol permeability and the use thereof in fuel cells
US7625652B2 (en) 2002-04-25 2009-12-01 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Multilayer electrolyte membrane
WO2003092090A2 (fr) * 2002-04-25 2003-11-06 Pemeas Gmbh Membrane electrolyte multicouche
WO2003092090A3 (fr) * 2002-04-25 2005-01-20 Pemeas Gmbh Membrane electrolyte multicouche
CN100358178C (zh) * 2002-04-25 2007-12-26 佩密斯股份有限公司 多层电解质膜
US7445864B2 (en) 2002-07-06 2008-11-04 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Functionalized polyazoles, method for the production thereof, and use thereof
US7332530B2 (en) 2002-08-02 2008-02-19 Celanese Ventures Gmbh Proton-conducting polymer membrane comprising a polymer with sulphonic acid groups and use thereof in fuel cells
US7795372B2 (en) 2002-08-29 2010-09-14 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Polymer film based on polyazoles, and uses thereof
US7736778B2 (en) 2002-10-04 2010-06-15 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Proton conducting polymer membrane comprising phosphonic acid groups containing polyazoles and the use thereof in fuel cells
US7745030B2 (en) 2002-10-04 2010-06-29 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Proton-conducting polymer membrane comprising sulfonic acid-containing polyazoles, and use thereof in fuel cells
JP2006510186A (ja) * 2002-12-16 2006-03-23 ヌベラ・フュエル・セルズ・ヨーロッパ・ソチエタ・ア・レスポンサビリタ・リミタータ 電気化学発電装置及びその使用方法
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US20030006145A1 (en) 2003-01-09
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AU2907801A (en) 2001-06-25
EP1245056A1 (fr) 2002-10-02
US6783885B2 (en) 2004-08-31
US20020000385A1 (en) 2002-01-03
US6471850B2 (en) 2002-10-29

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